Summary: The publication traces some key points related to the spread and history of Christianity in the Bulgarian lands from the conversion to the present day. The main emphasis is placed on the imposition of the new faith in the medieval Bulgarian state, as well as on issues related to the status of the Church in the Middle Ages. The problems faced by the Christians from the Bulgarian lands during the Ottoman rule are traced. The text pays due attention to the history and significance of the Bulgarian Exarchate, indicating the main stages related to the struggle of the Bulgarians for church independence during the Revival. In the twentieth century, the history of the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria was quite dynamic and was largely determined by the political development of the country. The publication draws attention to the changes faced by the Bulgarian clergy during the communist rule in the country. Emphasis is also placed on the schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which marked the last years of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century.
The publication shows that the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria is a strong institution with a centuries-old past, which has had its ups and downs. However, it retains its key place in the lives of generations of Orthodox Bulgarians. Although it has faced many difficult challenges over the centuries, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church continues to draw strength from its deep historical roots.
Keywords: Christianity, conversion, Church, Exarchate, St. Synod, Church Council, Arch¬bishopric, Patriarchate, schism
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